• When you hear a positive remark about an individual from a key campus stakeholder or customer. 
• When you see them exemplify a University of Iowa Core Value: Creativity, Community, Excellence, Inclusion, and Integrity.
• When they help you out with a project or issue. 
• Personal, professional, or other milestones. (ie. Years of Service, completing continued education, completing a marathon, new additions to the family etc.)

• Post a thank-you note on a co-worker's door.
• Give a co-worker a "candy gram" (i.e. lifesaver candies for someone who has been a real "lifesaver" to you, a Snickers bar for someone who keeps morale high with jokes and humor, etc.)
• Send or bring flowers to someone who has done an exceptional job in the workplace or in the community. 
• Post a banner in the office or on a co-worker's door recognizing their contribution(s).
• Give them a shoutout in a team meeting. 

Consider recognizing your team when they:

• Accomplish annual, monthly, and weekly goals
• Innovate a new work process or improve an existing one
• Acquire a new customer or give exceptional service to an existing stakeholder
• Cut costs that leads to a lasting impact on operations
• Help another team take on extra work to advance a strategic initiative
• Overcome an obstacle or solve a problem
• Develop positive ways to deal with conflict as a team
• Welcoming a new team member and successfully onboarding them

• Submit article about team to a newsletter like Iowa Now.
• Post on departmental website or social media.
• Submit a team Improving Our Workplace Award nomination.
• Maintain team bulletin board with photos of accomplishments.
• Recognize team efforts in regularly scheduled team meetings.
• Throw a party in honor of the team's accomplishments.
• Host a team holiday party, retreat, or quarterly dinner to show appreciation.
• Provide small tokens or gifts of appreciation.
• Host a wellness event. (ie. host a mindfulness training, group exercise class, provide a healthy lunch, etc.)

Consider recognizing individuals when they:

• Accomplish annual, monthly, and weekly goals
• Innovate a new work process or improve an existing one
• Take initiative to improve efficiencies  or advance process change efforts
• Acquire a new customer or give exceptional service to an existing stakeholder
• Overcome an obstacle or solve a problem
• Take on extra work leading to a positive impact on the team, department, or greater UI community
• Develop positive ways to deal with conflict
• Complete years of service milestones
• Mentor, onboard or support a colleague
• Take on and complete a stretch assignment 

• Public or private written comments via e-mail, letter, certificate, etc.
• Submit an Exceptional Performance Award or Spot Award.
• Submit article about team to a newsletter like Iowa Now.
• Post on departmental website or social media.
• Submit an Improving Our Workplace Award nomination.
• Submit a Staff Council sponsored award nomination.
• Give a trophy or plaque based on years of service.
• Throw a party in the recipient's honor.
• A reserved parking space for a week.
• Provide financial support for continued education or a professional development opportunity.